Wood died in April at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Her brother Chris Foote Wood, who is running the online crowdfunding campaign, said: "Dame Judi's gift is a fantastic boost to the appeal and is all the more welcome as it has taken us over the halfway mark to our target of £20,000.

"I'm sure it will encourage more actors, comedians and other showbiz professionals to contribute."

Foote Wood has gained the support of Bury Council, which has agreed to provide the site and do ongoing maintenance, but the cost of the statue must be met by eager fans.

If all goes to plan, the memorial will be built in Library Gardens in Manchester Road by May or June next year.

Council leader Rishi Shori previously said: "Victoria was a national treasure and a major talent in a variety of areas - actor, writer, comedian and singer-songwriter.

"We feel it's only right that there should be a fitting tribute to her in the borough in which she was born."

Wood once dismissed the title of "national treasure", telling the Daily Mail: "T here should only ever be one at a time. For years, it was Dame Thora Hird.

"After she died, it was going to be Judi Dench, but then Joanna Lumley saved the Gurkhas so she got the gig."